Local Artisans To Support School Back Pack Program (View Video Here)

August 16, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the “Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour” will sponsor their annual “Art for Kids Day” Saturday, August 24 at the DeKalb Farmers Market in support of the School System’s Back Pack Program to help feed hungry children.

Claudia Lee, local artisan, said all the artwork for this annual event is donated and all the money raised from sales goes to the Back Pack Program.

(Video below is from last year’s event)

IMG_0622 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“One hundred percent of the money from the sales goes to help fund the Back Pack program which provides supplemental food for kids in DeKalb County who are not getting fed regularly at home. We are one of the organizations that does fund raising for this program,” added Lee.

“The art work is donated by area artists as well as artists from the Appalachian Center for Crafts, and Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour. We do it once a year. It is almost always in August. We collect art work all year long and people look forward to it. They get some great deals. The prices are amazing,” said Lee.

According to Elise Driver of the Coordinated School Health Program, About 6% of the DeKalb County School student population goes hungry on a regular basis with meals provided at schools being their main source of food. “Coordinated School Health began sending bags of food home to children eleven years ago. We began with long weekends and holidays and now we feed them every week during the school year. Funding is not always consistent and we are continuously seeking donations of food and or money to maintain our program, to improve the nutritional value of the food products given to students, and to promote healthy eating habits,” said Driver.

To make a donation, contact Driver at the Board of Education Central Office known as the Ernest Ray Education Center at 615-597-4084.

Meanwhile, the 20th annual “Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour” is scheduled for October 25-27.

Every fall, on the last full weekend in October, when the color is breathtaking and there is a certain crispness in the air, the artists of Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour in DeKalb and Cannon Counties open their studios for a free three day open studio event. Celebrating its 20th year, the tour has grown to include 15 stops with 30 participating artists. Artists will be demonstrating their craft mediums and offering handcrafted shopping opportunities at every stop on the tour. This is a perfect family outing or weekend getaway.

To learn more visit

http://offthebeatenpathtour.com/

August 16, 2019
By:

The Upper Cumberland’s first annual Hemp Fest is coming to Smithville’s Burlap Room and Beer Garden on Labor Day weekend, Saturday August 31.

“We’ll celebrate the end of summer with an evening of live music, and showcase some of our region’s CBD businesses and craft breweries,” says Bert Driver, sponsor and host of The Middle of Somewhere Hemp Fest.

“Hopefully, Hemp Fest will also help raise awareness of industrial hemp’s potential as an important cash crop for our area’s future.”

Gates open at 4 pm, rain or shine, on the seven acres of Bert Driver Nursery on Highway 70 just west of Smithville in DeKalb County. The family-friendly event includes a play area with sandbox for children. Pets allowed but they must be leashed.

At least two food vendors will be on hand and several of the Upper Cumberland’s CBD producers will be exhibiting their products for purchase. Locally-brewed craft beers by Calfkiller Brewery and VonSeitz TheoreticAles and will be available onsite at The Burlap Room Garden & Tap House.

Katy Kilbourne, state plant pathologist and inspector with Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture will be there to advise those interested in growing hemp “what to expect from your inspector.”

Live entertainment kicks off on the Wisteria outdoor stage with music by steel drum percussionist Tony Hartman at 6, followed by the Americana roots band Blue Mother Tupelo around 7:30.

“We want to grow Hemp Fest into a yearly gathering for fans of live music, farmers, families and friends throughout the Upper Cumberland,” says Driver. “Come out and help us kick it off with a great start.”

Tickets for The Middle of Somewhere Hemp Fest are $10 in advance, $15 day of show and children under 10 admitted free. Capacity is limited and tickets are moving fast.

For information on booth space or tickets contact Driver at 615.597.9560 or message through the Bert Driver Nursery Facebook page.

August 16, 2019
By:

Congratulations to the new 2019-2020 Smithville Rotary Club President, Johnny Ball. Johnny is a Registered Nurse at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he is the Lead of Surgical Services. The Rotary Year runs from July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020. Executive Committee members include Secretary Chris Griffith, Treasurer Brenda Cantrell, and President-Elect (2020-2021) Kristie Driver.

“I am honored to be elected President of the Smithville Rotary Club,” said Ball. “Our Club has a rich history of service in the DeKalb County Community, from providing scholarships to graduating DCHS Seniors to delivering food to families during Christmas. I look forward to continuing this service, and finding additional ways that Rotary can help our community. We are also looking to add new members so if you are interested in joining, please contact me.”

Pictured in the attached photo is new Smithville Rotary Club President Johnny Ball (left) taking the oath of office from Past-President Clint Hall (right). For more information about the Smithville Rotary Club, visit our Facebook Page at Smithville Rotary Club of Tennessee-District 6780.

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